Star Wars Outlaws does not contain a secret playable-character roster. You play as Kay Vess throughout the campaign, with Nix as her permanent creature companion, but several seemingly hidden characters unlock as story allies, crew members, or Expert contacts. To find them all, complete the main story branches on Toshara, Kijimi, Tatooine, and Akiva, then follow every Expert intel chain instead of treating the characters as random encounters.
This distinction matters because the game never lets you switch into ND-5, Gedeek, Rooster Trace, or another recruitable ally. Their unlocks expand Kay's abilities, traversal options, combat support, or crew interactions. The official Star Wars Outlaws game page also presents Kay as the main protagonist rather than a party-based character-selection hero.
What “secret characters” actually means
There are three kinds of characters players commonly describe as secret unlocks: permanent crew members, Expert mentors, and temporary mission allies. Permanent crew members appear aboard the Trailblazer and influence story scenes. Experts teach signature abilities after Kay completes their personal mission chains. Temporary allies help during individual jobs but do not become selectable characters.
The only playable character
Kay Vess is the sole playable human character. Her blaster, Adrenaline Rush, grappling hook, speeder, Trailblazer, and Expert abilities are the systems you upgrade. Nix is always available through commands such as distract, fetch, sabotage, and attack, but he is not a separate playable character.
Which characters are genuine unlocks?
ND-5 is the major companion droid, while Gedeek joins the crew later in the campaign. Danka, Waka, and other named figures become part of the story ecosystem, but they are not permanent party members in the RPG sense. The most important optional unlocks are the Experts: Bram Shano, Selo Rovak, Aila Bren, Rooster Trace, Teeka, Temmin Wexley, and MT-7.
For comparison, the progression structure is closer to unlocking specialists than collecting heroes. Our Nine Sols skill guide covers a similar ability-first approach, but Outlaws ties every major skill tree to a named character and an investigation chain.
How to unlock the main story crew
Unlock ND-5
ND-5 becomes available through the opening campaign on Canto Bight and Toshara. Follow the main missions involving the Trailblazer, Waka, and the ship's escape rather than leaving the critical path for contracts. ND-5 is introduced as a combat-capable BX-series droid with a blunt personality and remains part of Kay's crew after the early story escape.
You cannot miss ND-5 under normal progression. If his character is not aboard the Trailblazer, advance the next main objective shown in your journal. Replaying side activities or changing syndicate reputation will not unlock him earlier.
Unlock Gedeek
Gedeek is unlocked on Akiva through the Expert mission chain The Droidsmith. Reach Akiva during the main campaign, investigate the local lead, and complete the mission's infiltration and droid-focused objectives. Gedeek's expertise grants the Electro-Shock Prod, which lets Kay disable certain droids and opens new stealth and exploration solutions.
Do not confuse Gedeek with a temporary mission contact. Once The Droidsmith is complete, his Expert upgrades remain available from the Abilities screen. His unlock is also essential for players pursuing a full ability-completion run.
Why Waka and Danka do not count as playable unlocks
Waka is connected to the Trailblazer's early story and Danka becomes a recurring information broker, but neither can be controlled or assigned as a combat party member. Their missions can affect narrative context and syndicate opportunities, not character selection. That is why guides claiming a hidden Waka or Danka playable unlock are misleading.
Every Expert character and unlock route
Bram Shano — Gunslinger
Follow the Gunslinger lead after the early Toshara story opens Expert investigations. Bram's chain eventually unlocks the Fast-Talk and gunslinger-focused upgrades, including stronger blaster handling and improved Adrenaline Rush utility. Speak to the informants marked by the Expert icon, then complete the objective chain rather than only buying rumors from merchants.
Selo Rovak — Mechanic
Selo's Mechanic chain begins on Toshara and leads to the Boost upgrade for the speeder. Complete the marked mechanic investigation, gather the requested components, and finish the repair objective. The Boost is one of the most valuable early unlocks because it improves open-world traversal and helps Kay clear larger gaps and rough terrain.
Aila Bren — Slicer
Search for Aila Bren's Slicer lead on Kijimi after the city becomes accessible. Her mission unlocks the Electro-Shock and slicing-related upgrades that improve terminal infiltration. Bring the correct tools, follow the investigation markers through Kijimi's restricted areas, and complete the final slicing job to add her abilities permanently.
Rooster Trace — Mercenary
Rooster Trace's Mercenary chain is found on Tatooine. Complete her lead to unlock heavy-weapon and combat improvements, including better use of the Stormtrooper E-11 and stronger weapon handling. Tatooine's Imperial patrols make stealth useful during this chain, so scan enemy positions with Nix before starting the required firefight.
Teeka — Hotfixer
Teeka is a Jawa Expert found through the Hotfixer lead on Tatooine. Her upgrades improve the Trailblazer's equipment and ship utility. Follow the Jawa-related objective markers, complete the salvage requirements, and return to Teeka after securing the requested parts. This chain is especially useful before taking on tougher space encounters.
Temmin Wexley — Veteran and MT-7
Temmin Wexley's Veteran storyline is one of the longer Expert chains and unfolds through multiple leads rather than one immediate mission. Keep checking the Experts tab after completing major story objectives. MT-7 is another late-game Expert contact tied to the Veteran progression. Finish every linked objective, including the final combat and investigation steps, to reveal the complete Veteran ability set.
For a broader approach to tracking hidden locations and character leads, see our Project Zomboid secret locations guide and Nikke secret locations guide. Outlaws uses the same principle: inspect every journal lead, not just the map's obvious mission icons.
Best order to unlock every character
- Finish the opening Toshara missions. This unlocks the core crew structure, the Experts menu, and the first local leads.
- Complete Selo Rovak's Mechanic chain. The speeder Boost makes every later planet easier to navigate.
- Complete Bram Shano's Gunslinger chain. His combat upgrades are useful before tackling high-alert Imperial areas.
- Reach Kijimi and unlock Aila Bren. Slicing upgrades open additional stealth routes and locked rewards.
- Visit Tatooine for Rooster Trace and Teeka. Handle the Mercenary chain first if you prefer combat; choose Hotfixer first if ship upgrades are your priority.
- Travel to Akiva and complete The Droidsmith. Gedeek's Electro-Shock Prod expands droid interaction and infiltration options.
- Finish the Veteran leads. Recheck the Experts menu after each main mission until Temmin Wexley and MT-7's objectives are complete.
Planet access is tied to campaign progress, so trying to force an Expert unlock before the relevant world is available will not work. If a lead seems missing, advance the main story, visit a settlement cantina, talk to marked contacts, and inspect the Intel or Experts tabs.
Completion checklist for all hidden character unlocks
Use this checklist before calling the character roster complete:
- Kay Vess remains the only playable character.
- Nix is unlocked automatically and stays with Kay for the entire campaign.
- ND-5 is obtained through the early main story.
- Gedeek is recruited through The Droidsmith on Akiva.
- Bram Shano, Selo Rovak, Aila Bren, Rooster Trace, Teeka, Temmin Wexley, and MT-7 are completed through their Expert chains.
- Waka and Danka are story contacts, not selectable companions.
- Every Expert lead has been completed in the Abilities menu, with no unfinished objective or missing reward.
There is no secret code, hidden boss reward, or post-game character-select screen. The reliable method is completing the relevant story and Expert investigations. Check the official Steam listing for current PC information, and use Ubisoft Support if an Expert objective fails to appear after its planet becomes available. Players looking for more progression-focused guides can also compare this structure with our early-game character guide.